BY AVERY GOODSTINE & JUSTIN CENTER for WEEKLY VOLCANO | 9/4/2026
What’s better than watching your favorite football team kick off the season on a warm summer evening? How about watching your favorite team kick off with hundreds of other fans shouting enthusiastically at multiple 86-inch TVs with wings, burgers, and beer?
The defending football champs are back, and Emerald Queen Casino is opening its doors as the 12s start the season together.
EQC Tacoma is hosting a free Kickoff Night Watch Party on Wednesday, September 9, as Seattle begins its title defense against New England. Doors to the Event Center open at 4:20 p.m., kickoff is at 5:20 p.m., and seating in the Event Center and EQC Tacoma Sportsbook is first come, first served. Located at 2920 East R Street, the event is free and open to the public.
“We create a fun game-day experience for fans who want that true stadium energy without dealing with the traffic,” said Justin Center, marketing production manager at EQC. “It’s loud, fun, and exciting.”
EQC’s watch parties have been around since the property’s former I-5 tent location, and they have only gotten bigger since. Last season’s games regularly drew hundreds of fans, and roughly 1,500 packed the house for the championship game. With the Seahawks starting off the season as champions, EQC expects a packed house and plenty of energy from fans ready to see the title defense begin.
EQC also hosted watch parties during the recent FIFA World Cup, in which Seattle was a host city.
Built for Game Day
The EQC Tacoma Sportsbook features DreamSeat armchairs, dozens of 86-inch TVs, and one of the largest LED video walls in the country. Guests can place legal wagers on professional and college sports at the Sportsbook or through the BETEQC app anywhere on EQC property. For the first time, that now includes college teams and events based in Washington.
Every NFL game will be available throughout the season inside the EQC Tacoma Sportsbook, giving guests a place to follow teams and matchups from across the league each week.
“Whether you’re a 12, following your favorite team, or keeping up with your fantasy lineup, there’s no better place to spend a football Sunday,” Center said.
The Sportsbook Bar & Grill will serve menu items throughout the event. This includes classic game-day wings, walking tacos, barbacoa birria beef nachos, burgers, fish and chips, and a grandstand pretzel with beer cheese and spicy mustard. Local and national beers will also be available.
Promotions During the Game
Guests will have a chance to win $250 in quarterly Free Play drawings. All they need to do is register with the EQC Players Club in order to participate.
Starting at 4 p.m., Players Club members can print a complimentary entry voucher at a promotional kiosk and drop it into the drawing drum inside the Sportsbook Lounge. Two winners will be drawn at the end of every quarter, with each receiving $250 in Free Play.
From September 6 through September 8, Players Club members can also claim a complimentary $5 sportsbook bet and use it to make their pick for the 2027 Big Game Championship. Members can print a voucher on-site and redeem it at an EQC Tacoma Sportsbook ticket window. Bets must be placed by 10 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8.
Sportsbook Options
Guests can place live, in-game wagers throughout the watch party using the BETEQC app while on EQC property, at the Sportsbook ticket windows, or through betting kiosks available at EQC Tacoma and Fife.
Those new to sports betting can ask EQC’s sportsbook writers for help understanding the available options and placing their first wager. The EQC team can also assist experienced bettors looking to get their picks in before or during the game.
Upcoming Seattle Watch Parties The party does not stop after opening night. Additional prime-time watch parties are already on the calendar:
- Thursday, Oct. 15: Seattle vs. Denver, Thursday Night Football
- Sunday, Oct. 25: Seattle vs. Kansas City, Sunday Night Football
- Monday, Nov. 2: Seattle vs. Chicago, Monday Night Football
- Monday, Dec. 7: Seattle vs. Dallas, Monday Night Football
- Friday, Dec. 25: Seattle vs. Los Angeles, Christmas Day divisional matchup
On Mondays, September 21 and 28, Players Club members can also take advantage of EQC’s Touchdown Multiplier promotion, earning up to 12 times or 24 times the points, depending on how many touchdowns Seattle scores. Multipliers can be activated at promotional kiosks from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at EQC Tacoma and EQC Fife the day after each game.
